Why can’t we reach higher and better? Why should we settle for a magazine that promotes some objectionable material? In Islam, you cannot use the haraam for a higher good…we have submitted to this religion and the laws of Allah(swt), so let’s stick to the halaal and try to come out with some magazines that appeal to young American Muslim sisters and have barakah in their reading and selling by promoting the halal and the halal only.

I totally understand why people are saying that…but I say, let’s be more creative, let’s not imitate the haraam elements of mainstream magazines.

By the grace of Allah(swt), I know we can do it!

1) Yes a majority of young Muslims do listen to music and such, but I also know a lot of sisters my age that avoids it. However, I realize that putting in a music section is really silly.. I am guilty of listening to music, but if I could find an alternative magazine that suits my life and Islam, I would not buy one that has music. In fact, I try my best to avoid the Hollywood glamour and music industry mess in America. Things like that just cause people to be busy doing things like stalking a celebrity’s every movement or so. Therefore, this magazine wouldn’t be for me if it contains music and worldy extravagance like expensive accessories and clothes. However, since it is available, any Muslimah can pick this up and read it as they wish. It’s just the content isn’t exactly 100% halaal and meeting Islamic standards.

2) I am not a fan of seeing non-hijabi models, because sometimes, it causes weak people to just want to take off hijab and show their bodies. I have felt this way many times from music videos shown on tv and magazines. But this is not everyone, so I cannot condemn the magazine for something that affects everyone differently. Still, I think it’s a bad idea. I am not against non-hijabis (of course, I’m not!), but I think covered Muslimahs as models (without all those weird sexual poses) would be a better example, since in this case, non-hijabis would consider hijab and stop letting society/culture/etc. affect her problem of wearing it.

3) If the magazine is well made and lives up to its price, then that’s wonderful. But I always flip through a magazine quickly to see if it’ something I would consider taking my time reading. But I think $16 USD is expensive for a magazine.. but yes we all agree that it is difficult for Muslimahs to find soemthing high in quality and content to suit them but with a big price tag. That is similar to paying for clothes at Shukr Online which most people would not do if they could find something cheaper. At the same time, you have discussed the negative points of this magazine filled with somewhat makrooh and haraam content.

4) Also, I agree with others here. Even with it’s fairly makrooh content, it IS much better than things such as Seventeen magazine, Vogue, Glamour, etc. So if we think about it, we kind of help Muslimahs out, especially the teenage ones that are going through a phase. InshaAllah, the MGM will go into a phase where it will soon acquire much better content and without music and such.

5) I have seen a lot of magazines, and by far, I think SISTERS magazine seems to be top-notch by content and theme. Even these magazines’ websites tell a lot about their magazine. SISTERS magazine is purely well made, the graphics and images are beautiful, and sometimes depict the peaceful feeling like candles and flowers. It doesn’t exactly need humans to show the magazine it’s brilliant. It also discusses more than just fashion and a slight topic on health; it has content on the environment, marriage, health, emaan, and helping a Muslimah with everyday issues.

I do not work for them, but it’s a magazine that I actual read compared to a lot of other ones out there. It fascinates me, and their sub-site Islamic Design House has a lot of nice items, but a bit too expensive for me. It’s already in UK pounds, imagine how much that costs in USD.

I actually bought one magazine and thought it was brilliant. You know its very hard being a teen girl in America with highschool teenagers being pressured to party, have sex, get a boyfriend, do drugs and many other things. I thought that reading the magazine made me a stronger person a stronger muslim and most of all have a stronger faith in Allah. I think the magazine is great and should continue publication for generatins and years to come. Its a great magazine and the fashion spread was also great becuase it allowed me to wear the hijab and be more modest in a fashinoable way (i.e without having to look like my mom lol). I thank the magazine and hope that more things better to come for the publication.

:),
Sahra

first of all, a woman’s face is nothing to be ‘ashamed’ of…instead it is the pride and honour given to her that requires her to cover it so that no pervert will dare take any action. muslims shouldn’t have any kind of inferiority complex about this issue…that only arises when they r influenced by the west. im sure if the west starts practising hijaab (lol…just an example) those ‘Muslims’ with very low self-esteem and confidence would b the first ones to follow it. and why would a woman want to beautify herself for ghair mahrams???

@umm: u r right…the lady on the cover page is not properly covered. that is the first thing i noticed…but was very surprised that it was not taken into account by anyone…many Muslims these days believe that covering the hair alone is hijaab…honestly for a pervert other parts of the body are more alluring. do not change Islamic laws according to ur whims!!

also a muslim girl should not show her zeenat and things that beautify her….the girl is clearly waring her visible to all…waring clothes that reveal her body shape.

definitely not what i would ever call an ideal muslimah.

@zainab…fully agree with u